Redfish
13 foods contain this ingredient
This is an alphabetical list, not a ranking. Add KL+ to rank foods for your pet in the Food Finder.
About Redfish
Redfish, a deepwater rockfish also called ocean perch, is a fish protein and fat source used in some dog and cat food recipes.
Redfish is used in pet foods as a high‑quality animal protein and source of omega‑3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA), B vitamins and minerals, helping to support muscle maintenance, skin and coat health, and general anti‑inflammatory benefits for dogs and cats. It should be properly sourced and processed to remove bones and minimize contaminants (e.g., mercury), can be an allergen for some pets, and formulations should ensure balanced amino acids and nutrients—particularly for cats that require adequate taurine—so check label sourcing and processing information.
Related ingredients
- Derived from
- Sebastes species (ocean perch), a North Atlantic deepwater rockfish
- Primary role
- animal protein and marine fatty acid source
Why it's used
In pet food, redfish contributes animal protein along with marine-derived fat, and NOAA fisheries data describe the species as a slow-growing, long-lived bottom dweller of the North Atlantic, a fishery that is distinct from the inshore red drum that also carries the market name redfish in Gulf Coast cuisine. Formulators use it as one of several regional groundfish options alongside cod and other bottom-dwelling species.
Common concerns
- Name overlap with red drum The market name redfish is applied to two biologically distinct fish, Sebastes (ocean perch) in the North Atlantic and Sciaenops ocellatus (red drum) in the Gulf and South Atlantic, so ingredient sourcing can vary depending on which species a manufacturer actually uses.
- Fish as an allergen category Fish is recognized in veterinary allergy literature as one of the more frequently reported food protein sources associated with adverse food reactions in dogs and cats.
- Taurine adequacy for cats Diets built around fish protein still need to be formulated to supply sufficient taurine, since taurine deficiency in cats is a documented cause of dilated cardiomyopathy.
3 sources cited
Common Questions
What category is Redfish?
Redfish is categorized as a protein ingredient in the KibbleLab database.
Is Redfish part of an allergen group?
Yes. Redfish is grouped under the Fish allergen group in the KibbleLab database.
Which foods contain Redfish?
13 foods in the KibbleLab database contain Redfish, including Acana, Nulo, NutriSource.
Foods with Redfish
Alphabetical by brand. Scores run 0 to 10, higher is better, on published veterinary science.
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